Attack on economy like attack on Turkish flag, call to prayer, Erdoğan says

Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan appealed to Turks' religious and patriotic feelings ahead of a major Muslim holiday on Monday, promising they would not be brought "to their knees" by an economic crisis that has battered the lira currency.

"An attack on our economy is no different from a direct strike against our flag and call to prayer. The purpose is not different. It aims to bring Turkey and the Turkish people to their knees," Erdoğan said in his Eid al-Adha message on early Aug. 20.

"Those who think they can make Turkey give in with the exchange rate will soon see that they are mistaken," he added.

Erdoğan said that the Turkish people could avert all attacks thanks to their ability to act in unity in difficult times, recalling the failed coup attempt in 2016.

Erdoğan's message did not cite the U.S. administration but obviously referred to an ongoing spat between the Ankara and Washington over the detention of pastor Andrew Brunson over terror charges.

Washington wants Ankara to release Brunson and other citizens it holds on disputed terrorism charges, as well as three Turkish nationals who work for the U.S. government.

The lira has tumbled some 40 percent this year.

The dispute is one of several between Washington and Ankara, including diverging interests in Syria and U.S. objections to Ankara's ambition to buy Russian defence systems, that have contributed to instability in Turkish financial markets.